Abstract

A retrospective study of patients on β-adrenergic receptor blockers undergoing urologic procedures was performed. Twenty-eight patients were divided into two groups: Group I patients were taking propranolol (40-80 mg tid) and Group II patients, not taking β-adrenergic blockers, served as controls. The blood pressure and heart rate responses following spinal blockade were compared. There were no significant differences in blood pressures, but there were significant differences in heart rate (p < 0.05). The authors conclude that induction of spinal blockade may be safe as long as total sympathetic blockade is not attained. A somatic sensory level of T6 is suggested to be safe and satisfactory for most surgical procedures. Attempting to achieve the lowest spinal blockade that is satisfactory for the given surgical procedure also is considered to be safe.